Cultivating the Hybrid Learning Environment

As student and faculty interest in taking or teaching hybrid courses (a course in which at
least 1/3 of the class is held online) increases, faculty are actively
exploring the distinctions between teaching online and teaching in a
traditional classroom environment. In the Cultivating the Hybrid Learning Environment Seminar, participants explore good
practices for teaching a hybrid course, work collaboratively to identify
effective pedagogies for teaching and learning in a hybrid environment, explore
relevant technologies, including Web 2.0 tools, and work toward adapting their
syllabus and classroom activities for the digital platform.

A complementary component to the seminar is the mentoring partnerships created between
experienced faculty who have taught on-line/hybrid classes and faculty wanting
to work in the hybrid environment.
Mentors examine effective principles of mentoring, provide guidance to
mentees new to teaching hybrid classes; assist mentees in integrating Web 2.0
collaborative technologies; and explore and develop class syllabi, activities
and assignments for the on-line environment.

In addition to their mentoring responsibilities, mentors will contribute materials
to a hybrid/online teaching and learning resource website, and provide the coordinating
team with suggestions and feedback on logistical issues and solutions. Both mentors and mentees will engage in
project evaluation processes.